Cops: Woman tried to kill self, infant son, by driving into vehicles and Burbank home
March 06--An Evergreen Park mother was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail today after she tried to kill herself and her 8-month-old son by driving her SUV into an oncoming vehicle in Burbank earlier this week, officials said.
Elizabeth Kruger, 28, appeared in Bridgeview court this morning after being charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, 1 aggravated fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, endangering the life of a child, possession of drug paraphernalia and a "multitude of traffic offenses," according to police and prosecutors.
Kruger was driving her SUV on March 4 at 4:45 p.m. when police said she collided with another vehicle that was traveling eastbound on 79th Street at New England in Burbank, Burbank police said in a press release.
After the accident, Kruger left the scene and traveled southbound on New England, police said. A Burbank police officer who was on patrol was flagged down by the victim in the crash and other people who described the white BMW X5 SUV that had fled, police said.
When police found a vehicle matching the description at 83rd and New England, they activated their emergency lights and siren and tried to pull the vehicle over but it accelerated away from the officer, police said.
The driver refused to stop for police, ran through several traffic lights and entered into the intersection of 87th Street and New England where it ran into a vehicle that was traveling eastbound, police said.
The vehicle then continued south and drove into a home on the 6900 block of West 87th Street, police said. The people in the home were not injured but drivers from each of the vehicles that were hit were injured, with one being treated and released from Advocate Christ Medical Center while the other injured remains hospitalized at Christ but recovering from her serious injuries, police said.
Police said they spoke with witnesses and with Kruger.
"She wanted to commit suicide by striking another vehicle and knowing that doing so would have ended the life of her infant," police said. "Since the first collision "failed" in her attempt, she continued until she again caused another collision on 87th Street and New England."
Both Kruger and her son, who was seated in a car seat in the back seat, were taken to Advocate Christ medical center in Oak Lawn. Kruger was treated and released to police custody while the boy remains hospitalized in good condition.
The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services was notified and officials said they are investigating. They are in the process of developing a safety plan to put the boy and his 5-year-old brother in the care of other siblings, according to a DCFS spokeswoman. They have not had prior contact with the woman or the family.
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